I'm using a HH175, flux core and the helmet in the Weldit package(dark green lens) . I'm having a devil of a time seeing the wire melt. Tried different positions, dragging, a strong back light close to the work and its not too often that I can see whats happening. Will solid wire make a noticeable improvement? Disclosure: I'm over 50 and the eyes ain't what they used to be. But still, anything I can do to see the action better? How close is your face to the work?
Originally posted by Jo? I'm using a HH175, flux core and the helmet in the Weldit package(dark green lens) . I'm having a devil of a time seeing the wire melt. Tried different positions, dragging, a strong back light close to the work and its not too often that I can see whats happening. Will solid wire make a noticeable improvement? Disclosure: I'm over 50 and the eyes ain't what they used to be. But still, anything I can do to see the action better? How close is your face to the work?
try holding some extra shade in front of your lense, just to see if it helps. I think going goldtone reflective and a bit darker tha 10 would help; that was my own formula
I run a Maxstar 200 usually below 100 amps. I had the same problem untill I switched the No.9 lens to a No.8. Now I can see the work in progress alot better . I also have a 2.5 magnifying lens in the hood. Face about 18 to 24 inches from torch. I am in my late 40's.
I guess it depends on if theres too much or not enough light. When I was using a fixed shade hood I would sometimes use a tinted safety lense to get the total a bot darker for me.
Originally posted by Stoody I run a Maxstar 200 usually below 100 amps. I had the same problem untill I switched the No.9 lens to a No.8. Now I can see the work in progress alot better . I also have a 2.5 magnifying lens in the hood. Face about 18 to 24 inches from torch. I am in my late 40's.
I'm 62 and I have lousy eyes. I reccommend a variable shade helmet if you can afford one. I bought an Astro off the internet for 80$$ - it runs from 9 to 13 shade and it solved a lot of problems for me.
I wear a pair of drugstore magnifying safety glasses under the hat so I can see what's really going on, and my face is close - I get to about a foot away with solid wire MIG. Flux core makes a lot more smoke and it's harder to see the puddle.
I run at 10.5 shade for most of my MIG stuff, and go to 11 with the stick.
Stoody, the magnifying glass idea took hold and I had to try it. Took a 4 inch magnifyer from a cheap $10 HD lamp, made a retainer/holder out of a cottage cheese container with the botom cut out, hot glued the lens in it and the unit press fits into my hood. The magification really helps. What you call a cheesy solution. How does your magnifyer work? May have to try the drug store glasses too, but I've got too many pairs to glasses as it is(lol). Researched the shade darkness on the Miller site, my Weldit has a #10, they suggest #10-12 for my amperage.
Magnifying welding lenses are availible in 1.00 to 2.50 diopters. If you are over 40, these are your future... I buy mine from www.ramweldingsupply.com . Some electronic helmets, such as speedglas are designed to hold these lenses. I switch lenses depending upon my distance from the work.
Another thing you can try...not sure where you can get them in the US but when I am not using my trusty Speedglas, I use my regular helmet, but I got the Gold lenses for it. Shade 9, and when you look through it is reddish. Much easier to see the puddle and not that hard on the eyes either.
I'm 50 as well and have the expected vision issues. I also strongly recommend an auto darkening helmet. Make sure you get one with the variable adjustment. That way you can dial in the right shding that you need. It helped me tremendously. Get a good one, though!
As far as the focusing side of the coin, I tried the magnifiers that go in the helmet to help see. The problem is when you flip up the helmet to inspect your work, you're blind again! I just wear reading glasses under my helmet now.
I am with Tony on this one. Get an autodark helmet. I was having the same problem seeing the puddle, tried 3 differnet lenses... It sounds like the same Weldit helmet too. I bought a 49.95 ( on sale) auto dark helmet at harbor freight and love it. I can weld again !!!
Originally posted by canadianwelder t I got the Gold lenses for it.
Canadian,
OkiBering markets those and seems to have the market cornered around here. It really does make a remarkable difference, doesn't it?
What I am looking for and cannot find is a gold-reflective safety lense- to replace the clear lense in front of an adjustable. I guess the coating is too fragile- it costs next to nothing to flash that little bit of metal on the lense- they do it all the time on Mylar baloons at many times the film thickness, so really there is no valid excuse for it not to exist unless these adjustables are already coated.
I am an amature and an adjustable auto darkening helmet improved the quality of my welds considerably. Don't know how I got along without one!!!
As a precaution, before the first use of the day I use an o/a flint striker to test the lense.
Originally posted by RFERG43
As a precaution, before the first use of the day I use an o/a flint striker to test the lense.
That's a handy tip. The builders of the auto lenses provide ample UV protection in the lightend state t protect from any actual injury, and it's nice to verify that it will darken to save me from those yellow spots till they subside, just in case I forget to actually turn it "on" in the morning. Fact is I cannot really read the tiny print on the controls very well and I find myself fumbling with the shade control and Lord knows what else- I have to test mine 'cause I never know for sure otherwise!
If you don't happen to have a flint striker (is that possible?) a quick glance at the sun, if it happens to be shining, or into a bright work light, will trigger the helmet.
I don't know much about auto-darkening hats, but mine (Astro) is about a shade 10 if you don't turn it on.
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